Giving Back

A NEW ERA FOR UTS

We’re back! The hallways at 371 Bloor are, once again, filled with the happy chatter of students. The melodic sounds of music float through the school as does the squeak of running shoes from the UTS Athletic Centre, and also the laughter of students as they gather on the Learning Stairs for lunch or engage with their fellow students and teachers in class. The energy is palpable.

I am writing this post from our beautiful, renewed school. As I walk the hallways at UTS and visit the stunning new spaces, I can’t help but think of all of you, the members of our community, who came together to make this dream a reality. Thank you for building our future. Please know that we can’t wait for you to visit to see this beautiful space for yourselves.

My hope is that you will feel comforted by the familiarity of the original 1910 terrazzo floors and staircases, the restored trophy case in honour of Al Fleming ’54 on the first floor and the 11 refurbished oak benches which, I believe, were originally installed in the 1950s. I hope that you will journey into the new wing of the building and marvel at the light passing from the third-floor skylight through the Fleck Atrium all the way down below ground level and rejoice in the state-of-the-art spaces that will propel UTS into the future. I am certain the school has not looked this good since 1910.

Indeed, the focus of UTS has been more about the people than the place. Architect Don Schmitt C.M. ’70, knows this only too well from his days as a UTS student. You can see how the student experience was at the very core of the architectural elements which are both futureforward and a tribute to the UTS tradition of merit-based education. This gem of a space is one that encourages collaborative exploration of ideas. It provides a solid foundation to take what is the very best of UTS and carry it forward into the future for generations to come.

Thank you for your eager participation on this journey. Thanks to you, everything that is good about UTS will continue and the best is yet to come! Martha Drake

Executive Director, Advancement